History of Mount Saint Francis

Our History

The site of Mount Saint Francis has a heritage as a place of health care and “community”, providing services for residents, workers and neighbors. Starting out as a ranch in the 1890’s, the Modern Woodmen of America, the largest fraternal beneficiary society in America, purchased the land in 1907 for the purpose of building a self-contained sanatorium for tuberculosis treatment of their members.

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The sanatorium was in every sense a community dedicated to health and spiritual values for the nearly 200 patients. The Modern Woodmen of America operated the facility successfully for forty years until 1947. The property was sold to a private individual who donated it to the Sisters of Saint Francis and named the site, Mount Saint Francis. Mount Saint Francis is primarily the home of the Sisters of Saint Francis and the administrative headquarters for their Saint Joseph Province. They have established the following ministries or services on the campus: Mount Saint Francis Nursing Center; Saint Francis of Assisi Parish; Franciscan Retreat Center; and Franciscan Community Counseling. Mount Saint Francis is a place where people are welcome to come and experience the peace and serenity of God’s beautiful creation.